An elemental alphabet.

Susan proposes a game using elements of the element alphabet: "This game uses the symbols of the first 26 elements listed in the Periodic Table. Their atomic numbers are: H(1), He(2), Li(3), Be(4), B(5), C(6), N(7), O(8), F(9), Ne(10), Na(11), Mg(12), Al(13), Si(14), P(15), S(16), Cl(17), Ar(18), K(19), Ca(20), Sc(21), Ti(22), V(23), Cr(24), Mn(25), Fe(26).

Here, their atomic numbers are equated with the numerical positions of the 26 letters of the alphabet in order to make words. Thus Silicon (Si = atomic no. 14. The 14th letter of the alphabet is N) + Phosphorous (P = atomic no. 15. The 15th letter of the alphabet is O). Hence Si.P = N.O. Here are other pairings:

O.H = H.A         H.O = A.H             P.Si = O.N
Be.At = D.R       Li.Mn = C.Y           K.O.B = S.H.E
Li.P.S = C.O.P    C.Ar.P = F.R.O        P.Al.P = O.M.O
Sc.Ar.F = U.R.I   C.Ar.P.Al = F.R.O.M   S.H.Ar.K = P.A.R.S

He.P = B.O        Ca.P = T.O
Al.P.S = M.O.P    B.Ar.N = E.R.G
B.Ar.B = E.R.E.   C.H.Ar = F.A.R

In a few cases, the elemental symbol + its equivalent alphabetical letter together make a word. Thus

Be (Beryllium) = 4, + D = 4 make Be ... D. Others include:

5 B ... E 8 O ... H 13 Al ... M 14 Si ... N 15 P ... O 20 Ca ... T 26 Fe ... Z

DAVID MORICE

Iowa City, Iowa